UPDATE: Seven (And Counting) Ex-Infinity Ward Employees Join Respawn

UPDATE 6:05 PM: Ding. Another ex-Infinity Ward developer has landed at Respawn Entertainment. This time, it's former lead designer Mackey McCandlish, who I'm informed announced his news over Facebook.

UPDATE 5:25 PM: One more. Programmer Jon Shiring has confirmed he's joined the studio over Twitter. "I have accepted a job with Respawn Entertainment," said Shiring. "I can't wait for May 1st!"

UPDATE 4:13 PM: And then there were five. Former Infinity Ward software engineer Rayme C. Vinson has also joined Respawn Entertainment, according to a Facebook status update. Vinson's update says he starts work at Respawn Entertainment on May 1 and will perform the same development role at the new startup from West and Zampella.

UPDATE 4:04 PM: Todd Alderman is not alone; we have three more Respawn Entertainment recruits to add to the list. Former Infinity Ward lead animator Mark Grigsby, lead environmental artist Chris Cherubini and lead animator John Paul Messerly have all joined Respawn Entertainment under the same roles, according to updated Linkedin profiles.

ORIGINAL STORY: After Activision fired former Infinity Ward leadership Jason West and Vince Zampella, a steady stream of senior designers, programmers, artists and other employees have turned in letters of resignation. All of them have been quiet about their future plans. It's been widely speculated that some would follow their former studio heads to their new company, Respawn Entertainment.

Now, it's official.

Former Infinity Ward lead designer Todd Alderman has joined Respawn Entertainment as a lead game designer, according to his Linkedin profile.

Respawn Enertainment was only announced earlier this month by West and Zampella. The studio has already inked a publishing deal with Electronic Arts, but unlike Call of Duty with Activision, West and Zampella maintain complete creative control over the new game. EA said it would fund the new game, however, and it's expected the deal would cover multiple games. But Respawn controls their destiny.

The new developer has not announced a new project because it doesn't actually have one yet.

"It's all about focusing and making sure our premiere title is huge and something that the fans and the gaming community really are gonna love," said West in an interview with G4 following the announcement of Respawn Entertainment. "That's what we're all about right now."

When I spoke with West and Zampella, their company didn't even have an office yet.

With the addition of Alderman to their lineup, however, it's starting to come together.

Thanks to reader Jow for the tip!

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